At 15:54, Modi advocates for a "reversion to tranquility" before embarking on his journey to Ukraine.
15:28 Elections in Kursk initially planned - delayed in seven municipalities Due to the intensified Ukrainian offensive in the Russian border region of Kursk, Russia has postponed local elections in seven municipalities within the region. The Central Election Commission supports the proposition of the Kursk Regional Election Commission to delay the elections until an "absolute assurance of voter safety" is ensured, the commission stated. Meanwhile, elections in the remainder of the Kursk region will proceed as arranged between August 28 and September 8 to select the regional governor. The Ukrainian military has reportedly entered the Russian region of Kursk and controls numerous settlements. According to Russian reports, over 120,000 civilians have fled the area.
15:07 Ukrainian forces confirm utilization of Western weapons on Russian soil Ukraine asserts that it has targeted pontoon bridges across the Seim River in Russia using US HIMARS rockets. "Where are the pontoon bridges in the Kursk region located? Task forces are accurately destroying them," Ukrainian special forces stated on the Telegram messaging service. HIMARS rocket systems are being employed in these attacks, marking the first confirmation of the use of Western weapons in Ukraine's offensive on Russian territory. Countries like the US and Germany have neither opposed nor condemned this action. Russia, however, has criticized it as an intensification of the conflict. Military analysts suggest that HIMARS rockets played a role in damaging at least three original bridges across the Seim, making it more challenging for the Russian army to supply the troops and plan a counteroffensive.
14:52 Ten Ukrainian drones supposedly downed near Moscow Drone operations from Ukraine have resumed their approach towards the Russian capital. Various video clips show confirmed shootdowns and large explosions in the sky, as reported by the Russian army. The downed drones could potentially result in casualties or damages, but details remain unclear.
14:25 Foreign Office: "Russia demonstrates no interest in peace negotiations" According to the German government's assessment, Russia appears uninterested in engaging in peace negotiations to end the war. "Russia is not interested in peace negotiations," stated a spokesperson for the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin. Instead of participating in talks with Ukraine about a just and lasting peace, the Russian government is demanding the annexation of territories they do not even control. In addition, Russia has the power to end the war at any given moment. To counteract the illegal military aggression, Ukraine requires necessary weapons, emphasizes the spokesperson, drawing on demands in ongoing election campaigns in Thuringia and Saxony to cease weapon deliveries and pursue a diplomatic solution more aggressively.
13:53 No Conditional Friendship: "Kadyrov Assures Putin's Security in Chechnya" President Putin visits the Russian republic of Chechnya for the first time in 13 years, where he will be welcomed by political leader Ramzan Kadyrov. Both leaders share mutual support, and Kadyrov offers Putin a gift. However, the friendship is not unconditional, as explained by ntv reporter Rainer Munz.
13:30 Moscow Confirms Capture of Another Village in Eastern Ukraine The Russian army claims victory in taking another village in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk. The Russian troops have "liberated" the village of Schelanne, according to the defense ministry in Moscow's daily report. Located northeast of Donetsk, this village is under Russian control, and around 20 kilometers away is the city of Prokhorovka, an essential logistics hub. However, the Institute for the Study of War reports that the village was captured on August 18.
12:57 Ukraine Granted Full Membership at the International Criminal Court The Ukrainian parliament votes to ratify the Rome Statute, enabling Ukraine to join the International Criminal Court. Full membership represents a significant step towards EU integration for Ukraine. The ICC has issued international arrest warrants for figures such as Russian President Vladimir Putin.
12:45 Russia Strikes Ukraine with Multiple Drones The Ukrainian air force reports a series of drone attacks across the country, involving up to 69 drones. Fifty drones were reportedly downed by the Ukrainian military, with an additional 16 destroyed by electronic jammers. One drone returned to Russia, and one cruise missile was successfully intercepted, leaving the fate of the remaining drones and the possibility of damages or casualties uncertain. The Russian side has yet to release an official statement.
12:22 Ukraine: Pokrovsk Defenses faltering under intense Russian pressure Ukrainian forces continue to face heavy pressure from Russian attacks in the eastern front of the nation. In the Pokrovsk area, the general staff in Kyiv reveals that today, there were 66 Russian storm attacks, all of which were successfully repelled. The Ukrainian defense is under threat as Russian forces aim to capture the remaining kilometers before reaching Pokrovsk. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi admits the challenging situation, while Russian military bloggers express optimism of progress in the area.
Should Ukraine eventually engage in negotiations with Russia? According to former Russian President Dmitri Medvedev, it seems unlikely. Medvedev, now serving as the vice-chairman of the Russian Security Council, states on his Telegram channel that given Ukraine's advance in Kursk, negotiations between the two nations are unlikely. There will be no dialog between Moscow and Kyiv until Ukraine suffers a complete defeat on the battlefield. "The idle chatter of self-proclaimed mediators about the noble topic of peace has come to an end. Even if they can't say it out loud, everyone acknowledges the situation's reality," Medvedev remarks. "There will be no negotiations until the enemy is completely and utterly destroyed."
11:22 Violence escalating by Wagner mercenaries in Africa
Russian mercenaries remain significant in Africa, a year following the crash of Wagner's leader Yevgeny Prigozhin. Acled, a conflict data organization, suggests that despite Prigozhin's demise and the rebranding to Africa Corps, Wagner's influence on the continent will likely expand. In the first half of 2024, incidents of political violence related to Russian mercenaries in Africa have surpassed the number during Prigozhin's entire lifespan. Prigozhin, a business magnate, assembled a private army since 2014, with Wagner mercenaries participating in conflicts not just in Ukraine but also in Syria and, primarily, on the African continent, serving Moscow's interests. Last June, Wagner launched an armed uprising against the Kremlin. Sadly, Prigozhin and his associates perished in an accidental plane crash on August 23, 2023.
10:50 Kursk funeral director's guidance to the town's men
A military uniform man criticizes fleeing men in a video shared on Telegram from Kursk. However, the man is not an active military member but Kirill Suvorov, a 39-year-old funeral director from St. Petersburg, according to Russian opposition agency Agentstvo. In the video, Suvorov condemns the male residents of the region: "What's going on here? Where are you going, good men?" He further adds: "Can't you take up arms?" Alternatively, they could also use their shovels and "dig trenches for the boys." Suvorov also encourages locals to donate their vehicles to the military instead of fleeing. When asked about his involvement in the war, he remained tight-lipped.
10:26 Pentagon: Ukraine puts Russia under strain
The U.S. Department of Defense indicates that Russia is struggling to respond to Ukraine's counteroffensive in the Russian oblast of Kursk. Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder reveals that there are signs that Moscow is mobilizing a small number of units into the region, but adds that Russia is "really struggling to respond." Ryder emphasizes that Ukraine has "clearly put Russia under strain." Ukrainian forces continue to progress into the area. Launched about two weeks ago, Ukraine's counteroffensive marks the first time the war has reached Russian territory. Ryder stresses that Ukraine's counteroffensive in Kursk does not alter U.S. support for Kyiv.
10:03 Eastern Front hardships: Three Russians for every Ukrainian
Ukrainian President Zelensky acknowledges a challenging situation on the Eastern Front. The situation, as portrayed by ntv's Nadja Kriewald from the area, is "dramatic," with Russian soldiers outnumbering Ukrainian troops considerably. Furthermore, the Kremlin underestimates its own losses.
09:37 Kyiv: Ukrainian military strikes Russian air defense system in Rostov
The Ukrainian military declares to have hit an air defense system in the Russian oblast of Rostov. According to the General Staff, it was a S300 air defense missile system. Russia has employed this type of missile in attacks on Ukraine's civilian infrastructure. The Ukrainian strike focused on a missile system in the vicinity of Novoshakhtinsk. Explosions were observed at targeted locations, and the precision of the hit is still under investigation. Rostov's governor, Vasili Golubev, reports that the Russian air force destroyed a rocket launched from Ukraine over the region. However, the Russian Ministry of Defense omits this detail in its daily report.
09:09 Drone attacks disrupt Moscow airports
Temporary restrictions on the function of three Moscow airports were enforced due to the drone assault early this morning. The aviation authority reported via Telegram that the limitations lasted for four hours, until 6:30 a.m. local time, for the airports of Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo. Sheremetyevo's main airport was unaffected. The Russian air force claimed to have eliminated eleven drones aimed at Moscow. The mayor of the capital, Sergei Sobyanin, described it as one of the largest drone assaults on Moscow to date.
The Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Michael Roth, advocates for strong backing for Ukraine, especially during this "difficult period." Roth suggests that the best method to push Putin into negotiations is if he realizes he cannot defeat Ukraine. This can only occur if Germany, Europe, the USA, and their allies keep arming Ukraine as effectively as possible militarily, as stated by the SPD politician in a ntv interview. The actions of Ukraine comply with international law, and Roth is pleased by the victories on Russian soil, which empower Ukrainians to believe "this imperialistic giant Putin is beatable."
08:12 Woidke Contemplates Citizen's Allowance for Ukrainian RefugeesBrandenburg's Minister-President Dietmar Woidke queries the welfare assistance for Ukrainian refugees. "The decision was correct at the time because we had to act quickly. However, we must now consider if this type of support remains relevant," Woidke told "Der Spiegel." Several EU countries have a higher employment rate for Ukrainians than Germany. "We must rectify this. It would benefit our economy - we need workers - and it would promote integration," states Woidke. A new Brandenburg parliamentary election is set for September.
07:40 Ukraine Analyses: Russia's Rockets and Drones CountSince the war began, Russia has unleashed over 9,600 rockets and almost 14,000 attack drones against Ukraine, as per Ukrainian sources. According to "Kyiv Independent," the Ukrainian armed forces commander-in-chief, Oleksandr Syrskyi, confirmed this. Over 5,197 of the destroyed rockets targeted civilian areas, with Ukraine primarily under attack with S-300/S-400 rockets, striking 3,008 times. The most frequently used weapons were Kh-555/Kh-101 cruise missiles, with 1,846 registered attacks.
07:08 German Military Reinforces Barracks SecurityThe German army is enhancing security measures for all barracks. As reported by "Der Spiegel," barracks are instructed to scrutinize the outer fences of all facilities for gaps and monitor them more closely, particularly at night. Soldiers must pay closer attention to unauthorized individuals in security areas and report any suspicions immediately. This is a response to reports of infiltrators in sensitive security areas. "Der Spiegel" quotes a high-ranking general who admits that the protection of German barracks is operating in "peacetime mode." The entrance and exit controls are usually handled by private service providers, and the patrols along the barracks' fences.
06:40 Habeck: G7 Support for Ukraine Remains ConsistentFederal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck assures continuous help for Ukraine – regardless of whether the planned billion-dollar aid from G7 nations is carried out. "The G7 have taken all required steps: Ukraine will receive money later to purchase the desperately needed weapons systems," the Green politician told the Funke media group. "That's right – it will occur by the end of the year – as far as I hear," added Habeck. Ukraine will receive 50 billion, with an additional 4 billion from the federal budget in 2025. If this does not happen, "we must reconsider our position," demands Habeck. The commitment to Ukraine "stands without condition." If needed, the support "must be provided differently." Habeck acknowledges that the transition to the planned G7 model might be problematic "if new orders cannot be placed as the previous budget allocations have been exhausted." He, therefore, proposes a practical solution. "To ensure this, it must be ensured that the weapons systems are ordered now and paid for later from the G7 funds." It would be catastrophic if Ukraine were to lose this war, as the freedom of Europe would be threatened.
06:08 Kursk Breakthrough: Moscow Blames Western Intelligence ServicesRussia alleges, according to a newspaper report, that Western intelligence services are responsible for the recent Ukrainian push into the Russian region of Kursk. "The operation of the Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region was coordinated with the participation of the intelligence services of the USA, Britain, and Poland," quoted Moscow's foreign intelligence service SVR by "Izvestia." The involved units trained together in Britain and Germany. NATO military advisors reportedly oversaw units of the Ukrainian forces that advanced onto Russian territory and assisted in handling Western weapons and military equipment by the Ukrainians. The alliance countries are also said to have provided the Ukrainian military with satellite reconnaissance data on the deployment of Russian troops in the operational area.
05:39 Russian Sources: All Sejm Bridges Damaged or DestroyedThe Ukrainian forces have likely damaged or destroyed all three bridges over the Sejm River in the west of Russia, according to Russian sources. The Ukrainian attacks on the three Sejm bridges in Kursk may lead to the encirclement of Russian troops between the river, the Ukrainian advance into Russia, and the border of both countries. They have already reportedly slowed down the Russian response to the Kursk offensive, which Ukraine initiated on August 6.
04:30 Large-scale Ukrainian Drone Attack Reported by RussiaRussia reports a large-scale drone attack on several regions by Ukrainian forces. As per authorities, around 3 drones were shot down about 38 kilometers south of the Kremlin, and 15 more in the border region of Bryansk. The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobyanin, had previously reported that 3 drones heading towards Moscow were intercepted over the city of Podolsk. No harm or injuries are reported in Bryansk and Podolsk. Reports of repelled attacks also come from Tula and Rostov, with no reports of damage or injuries yet. The exact number of launched drones and missiles remains unclear. Ukraine typically avoids commenting on such incidents.
03:50 Putin and Kadyrov Inspect Troops in ChechnyaFor the first time in 13 years, Russian President Vladimir Putin visits Chechnya. Accompanying Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov, Putin inspects troops and volunteers preparing for deployment to Ukraine. Putin praises the troops at the Russian University for Special Forces, telling them that their presence ensures absolute invincibility. Kadyrov reports that Chechnya has sent more than 47,000 fighters to Ukraine since the beginning of the conflict, including approximately 19,000 volunteers. Kadyrov often refers to himself as "Putin's foot soldier."
02:44 Russian Air Defense Intercepts Drones Over Moscow
According to Russian reports, air defense has intercepted three drones launched from Ukraine over Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced via Telegram that the drones were shot down, and there are no initial reports of damage or injuries from falling debris.
01:50 Alleged Traitor Arrest: FSB Confirms Scientist's ArrestThe Russian FSB confirms the arrest of a scientist on suspicion of treason. The individual admitted to conducting cyberattacks on critical infrastructure on Ukraine's behalf, transferring funds to the Ukrainian military, and collecting information on the Russian army. The FSB did not specify the arrest's time, but a video of the incident is circulating in Russian media, showing snow in the background. The Telegram news channel Ostoroschno Nowosti reports that the man is a physicist who was reportedly arrested in December 2023, according to earlier state media reports.
00:59 Zelensky Commends Ban of Pro-Russian Orthodox Church in UkraineUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the parliament for its decision to ban a pro-Russian branch of the Orthodox Church. "I want to commend the Verkhovna Rada’s efforts, which have adopted the law to ensure our spiritual independence," Zelensky said in his daily video address. The parliament voted to ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which had been under the Moscow Patriarchate for decades, accusing it of justifying or even collaborating with the enemy's crimes against its own people. The church has officially separated from Moscow but still recognizes the Moscow Patriarch. The Moscow Patriarch supports Russia's war in Ukraine and has a friendly relationship with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin.
23:07 Pentagon: Russia Struggles to Respond to Kursk AdvanceAccording to the U.S. Department of Defense, Russia is having difficulties responding to Ukraine's counteroffensive in the Kursk region. Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder said in Washington that there are signs that Moscow is sending a few units into the area, but generally, Russia is struggling to react. "Overall, I would say that Russia is really struggling to respond," Ryder said. He emphasized that Ukraine has put their opponent in a difficult position. When asked if Washington is publicly supporting Ukraine's advance, Ryder did not directly answer but referred to Zelensky's statement about creating a buffer zone. He said they are in contact with Kyiv to learn more about the specific objectives.
22:10 Zelensky: Balance Needed Between Mobilization and EconomyUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized the importance of striking a balance between military mobilization and maintaining the war-torn economy during his visit to an industrial plant in Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine. When questioned about occupied jobs, Zelensky replied that such jobs are vital for soldiers' salaries and Ukraine's defense efforts.
21:44 Ukraine Reports Territorial Gains in KurskUkraine claims to have advanced 28 to 35 kilometers in the Russian region of Kursk. Russia is fortifying its positions there with troops from other areas, says Army Chief Oleksandr Syrskyj in a televised statement. Additionally, Russia is deploying units to Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine, where the heaviest fighting has recently taken place. Russia has not commented on this yet.
21:25 Putin Visits Chechnya for the first time in 13 yearsRussian President Vladimir Putin has traveled to Chechnya for the first time in 13 years to meet with strongman Ramzan Kadyrov. Images from the news agency RIA Novosti show Putin shaking hands with Kadyrov in Grozny. Later, the Russian president puts his arm around Kadyrov's shoulder and embraces him before they both leave in a limousine. Kadyrov shares via Telegram about their packed program of events. Despite the tiring day, Putin is "full of energy and eager to visit several places in Chechnya."
21:02 Scholz: "Ukraine is getting loads of dough, loads of dough"German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expresses disbelief at allegations that Germany isn't adequately supporting Ukraine. This year, Ukraine is set to receive over 7 billion euros, more than any other European nation, according to Scholz, speaking on Sat1 television. The following year, it's estimated to receive 4 billion euros from the German federal budget - again, more than any other European country. Additionally, there are the 50 billion dollars made possible through the aid of frozen Russian assets from the G7 western countries. "That's a lot of money, that's a lot of money," stresses Scholz. However, the exact timeline for these 50 billion to be available to Ukraine remains unclear.
20:14 Putin links Beslan school tragedy to Ukrainian advancementRussian President Vladimir Putin draws a connection between the 2004 Beslan school hostage situation and the current Ukrainian military operations in the Russian border region of Kursk. Just as Russia fought "terrorists" in Beslan then, Putin argues, it must now confront "those committing crimes in the Kursk region" during his visit to Beslan.
19:43 Orthodox Church in Moscow denounces proposed Ukrainian church ban as "unlawful"The Russian Orthodox Church discredits the Ukrainian parliament's decision to ban the pro-Russian Ukrainian Orthodox Church, labeling it "unlawful" and a "grave violation of religious freedom and human rights." According to the church's spokesman, Vladimir Legoida, via Telegram, enacting this law could lead to widespread violence against millions of believers. Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, also voices his concern during a visit to the Solovki Monastery in northern Russia, describing this as a "difficult time for many who turn against us not because we are wrong, but simply because we are different." Kirill has been an outspoken supporter of the war against Ukraine. Previously, Ukrainian deputies approved a bill that includes a ban on religious organizations with ties to Moscow.
The European Union should consider providing humanitarian aid to the civilians who have fled Kursk due to the intensified conflict. Despite Russia's postponement of elections in seven municipalities due to security concerns, Ukraine's utilization of Western weapons, such as the US HIMARS rockets, has reportedly led to damages in the region. The situation in Kursk has prompted criticism from Russia and concerns from international military analysts.
